Contact member and electrode for arc furnaces



July 27, 1948 A. J. FAUsEK ETAL 2,445,002

CONTACT MEMBER AND ELECTRODE FOR ARC FURNACES Filed Marchv 26, 1945 3 ShelZS-Sheet 1 fyi few/fr@ ff 54055K July 27, 1948 A. J. FAusEK ETAL 2,446,002

CONTACT MEMBER AND ELECTRODE FOR ARG FURNAGES" Filed Mar-Qn 2e. 1945 s sheets-sheet 2 l, MQ,

July 27, 1948. A. J. FAUsr-:K ETAL CONTACT MEMBER AND ELECTRODE FORARC FURNACES 3' Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 26, 1945 Patented July 27, 1948 CONTACT IWEMBER AND ELECTRODE FOR ARC FURNACES Arthur J. Fausek and Irwing F. Fausek, Clayton, Mo.

Application March 26, 1945, Serial No. 584,762

14 Claims.

This invention relates generally to electric furnaces of the type provided with electrodes at which electrical arcs are produced, and more specioally to improved means for making electrical connections between the electrodes of the furnaces and the electrical conductive means which provide paths over which electrical energy is conducted from a source of electrical energy to said electrodes, the predominant object of the invention being to provide an electrical connecting means of the type mentioned which is of such improved construction and arrangement that the operation of an electric furnace, with which the improved connecting means is associated, is very greatly improved.

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a pair of the improved connecting means of the present invention, the outline of the furnace with Awhich the connecting means are associated being indicated by dotted lines while the electrodes of the furnace are illustrated by solid lines.

Fig. 2 illustrates in plan view one of the connecting means shown in Fig. 1, certain pipes appearing in Fig. 2 being shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View partly in vertical section and partly in elevation, said view being taken approximately on line 3-3 of Fig, 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating a cooling-fluid connection which forms a part of the improved connecting means.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing another cooling-fluid connection which forms a part of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, horizontal section taken through a part of the improved connecting means.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the structure illustrated in Fig. 6 and taken approximately on line 'I-I thereof.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a part of the structure shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

In the drawings, wherein is shown for purposes of illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, A designates an electric furnace which is provided with a pair of vertically disposed electrodes B. The electrodes B are connected electrically to a source of electrical energy, and the means for effecting such connection of the electrodes to the conductive elements which comprise the electrical path leading to the electrodes constitutes the basis of the present invention.

The connecting means referred to above is desgnated generally in the drawings by the reference character C, and each of said connecting means comprises an annular member I which is shaped in plan as is shown in Figs. l and 2, and in section as is shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 7. As is shown to good advantage in Fig. 2, the annular body portion of the annular member I includes portions thereof which vary in Width; that is to say, one portion Ia of said annular body portion is relatively narrow, and another portion Ib of said annular body portion is of considerably greater width than said relatively narrow portion la, while opposed portions Ic of said annular body portion are of greater width than the relatively narrow portion Ia and are of less width -than said wider portion Ib.

The wider portion Ib of the annular body portion of the annular member I is shaped to provide a pair of cavities 2 and 3 which are open at the inner face of the annular body portion of said annular member I, said cavities being separated by a convergent portion 4 of said annular body portion of said annular member (see Figs. 1 and 2). The annular member I of each connecting means C embraces the electrode B with which it is associated, a portion 5 of the inner face of the annular body portion of said annular member contacting with a portion of the outer face of the electrode, and the remainder of the inner face of said annular body portion of said annular member I, together with the inner end of the convergent portion 4 thereof, being spaced slightly from adjacent portions of the outer face vof the electrode.

The connecting means C of the present invention includes a pair of shoes 6 which are formed of steel, or other material which is possessed of the required strength and rigidity. The shoes 6 are disposed in the cavities 2 and 3 formed in the annular body portion of the annular member I, one of said shoes being arranged in each cavity as is shown to good advantage in Fig. 6. In vertical section each of the shoes 6 is shaped as is shown in Fig. 3; that is to say, the shoe is provided With a vertically extended portion 6a and a portion 6b which extends laterally from said vertical portion 6a at the top thereof. The lateral portion `6b of each shoe overlies the annular body portion of the annular member I, with the lower face of said lateral portion of the shoe contacting with a portion of the top face of said annular body portion of said annular member.

The shoes B are curved slightly transversely thereof, as is shown in Fig. 6, the radius of the curvature of the shoes being substantially the same as that of the circumferential face of the approximate transverse'v center :of 4the-shoe and is extended continuously through the vertical portion Bga of the shoe, except for the extreme.

lower portion thereof, and through the lateral portion Ib of said shoe.

6 divides the cavity therein into two passageways 8 land 9 which are arranged side by side, and because the lower end of said wall i is located above if the lower 'wall of the vertical portion of the shoe a transverse passageway I El "isiprovidednwl'lich;`v

connects said passageways 8 |and 9 at their-.lower ends to provide a substantially U-shaped' passageway.

Tlie'r'topzwall" of thej-laterarportiowSbof'ea-ch shoe' hasformedtherethrough a pai-r 'of'vscrewthreaded apertures I I said pairfof apertures v'being so Alocated thatv one of the apertures communicates `withrthe -passageway 8 offthefshoe 6 while thezother of thel pair 'of/ apertures communh catespwithA the 'passageway y9 of said shoe.- The apertures r 'I I have' screwed -th-'ereinto1 the lower screwthieaded'end" portions ofa pair of tubes I2 :and 'I3,"the tube I2 being associated* with the aperture 1I 'which communicates with the pas;

sageway-: 'of thesho'e 6, and the -tube f' I 3 "being 1 associated with t'heaperture I I which-"communicates vvvitlithe' passageway 9 ofsaid shoe: The'- tube I2 has suitably .,connectedfthereto an inlet tube", I 4, while the tube' I3 ha'ssuitably 'connected theretolanoutlet tube"|;5. Thetubes |2|3 and |4211 5 fare" formed of copper jor lother material whicl'r'is 'characterizedby beinga good4 conductor of "electrical energy, andxedto the tubes "I .4 Tand I5 "of;each shoe; in* electrical lcontact therewith;

are suitable terminal members nI- Ato `which 'eiece' trical' Conductors I'Iare"'connected, said con'- ducto'rs-` II "conducting electrical energy froma source of .electricalfenergy'notshown), tothe terminalsjl andito thetubes I2 and Irland I3 andzl.I

Interposedbetween each shoe A'Ii andv the` electrode with-"whichartsaid shofefis associated Ais a pair "of contact 'members'|8-which are formed of copper; orother 'material which is characterized by being a good conductor kof electrical energy. l

By referring to Fig., 6 it will be noted that thev contactmembe'rs Ifare curvedslightly in conf.

formitylwith lthe` vcurv'a'tures ofthe :outer Vf ace 'of the electrode. andthe inner face of ,the shoe, and

that leachf'contact member'is 'approximately one'- half theA widthbf the associated shoe, the inner edges of 'said' contact members .being in Aabutting relation; Thegportions'iof the pair` of contact members I8.associatedwitheach shoe 6, 'areinf terposed" between the i shoe and 'the-1 .associated electrode and are obv'ouslyividisposed vertically with the opposite "faces j of saidzportions' ofy said' contact .members in close Acontact with the outer faceof"the"electrode v"and the inner.v face or the shoe; yrespectively, fand' at'the upper 'end of each vertical portion thereof each' contact member I 8' isprovided v'with'- a horizontally extended portion lili5 Extended upwardly from-the hrlzontal 'portion ISSf/each 'contactfmember'i lis an arcuate'por- 15'. y"ciated tube i2 or I3 by the related clamp 2|, so

by referring to Fig. 2, the arcuate portion 20 of each contact member I8 embraces approximately one-half of the associated tube I2 or I3, and its curvature is substantially the same as the curvature of the circumferential face of the tube. The arcuate portion 2li of each contact member I3 is secured to the associated tube l2 or I3 by a clamp 2|v which comprises a pair of arcuate clamping members that are drawn toward each other by bolts 22, one of said clamping members engaging the arcuate portion 20 of the contact member I8, and-.fthe other kclamping member engaging a portionlofft'he tube. It is obvious from the foregoing that the arcuate portion 20 of each contact memberl8 is drawn into close contact with the assothatcgocdlelectrical lcontact is provided between the contact member and the associated tube.

Inaddition to serving as conductive paths by which electrical energy is conducted from a sourcelcfsaid electrical energy to the va-rious contact members Iassociated with the elec-' trod-esBthe tube 'assemblies'which include the tubes -I2 andl lll and the tubes I3 and "I5';-f1serve" also toiconduct cooling fluid to the shoes E. In`

other-words,`each of the tube assembliesof which thetubes I2 and I4 form parts, provide a 'pase4 sageway for incoming cooling fluid which is conducted from a source of said cooling fluid and is deliveredto the associated shoe 6 by saidtube assembly. The cooling fluid so delivered *tocne'l ofthe shoes 6 by the tube assembly referred to,

flows-downwardly through the passagewayj withinthe shoe and passes through the lower.`V transverse passageway lil to the passagewayjill within said shoe, said cooling uid being under pressure and moving upwardly through said `pas Y sageway 9 and passing from the shoe byi way of the" passageway provided by the tube assembly ofv'vhich the tubes I3 and Iformparts.`

In order to force the various contact `members Ifinto'close'contact with electrodes B with'which they are associated, each shoe 6 has associated therewith a bolt 23. Each bolt 23 'contacts atitsf inner end with its associated shoe 6 Figs;6 and 7)' and said bolt extends through an opening'zll provided by a wall structure 25 located within the annular member I. The openings 24communicateat their innerends with the cavities'2 and 3 ofthe annular member I in which theshoes-G are disposed, and at their outer-'ends thebolts gripped by the'wallvof saidiopening 24; thebo'lt being extended through said bushing "and'bein'g adapted to rotate therein.

The inner ends ofl the rbushings V2t'associated with the bolts -23 each abuts against an abutment element--2l-` which is illustrated 'in perspective" in a `vertically extended slot Zdwhich is open at-the lower end of 'said-abutment element:

ments 21 straddles the associated bolt 23, so that the-'legfportions at-opposite sides `of the-slot'of the abutmentelement are f disposed at' opposite Vsides The openings 24 are substantially' Figi-8,"said abutment element being provided with Alsogthe abutment elementfZl'includes a head portion at" site endsbeyond the slotted bodyA portionof-the' abutment element, as 'indicated'at 29? The'slot:

of the bolt. Additionally, each wall structure 25 of the annular member I is provided with opposed guideways 30 (Fig. 6) which receive the opposite edge portions of the associated abutment element 21, and the lower wall portion of each wall structure 25 is provided with a similar guideway 3! that receives the lower portion of the associated abutment element. The inner end portion of each of the bolts 23 is screwthreaded and mounted on the screwthreaded end portion of each of said bolts is a nut 32 which is screwed into contact with the inner faces of the legs of the slotted body portion of the associated abutment element 21.

It is important to note that each of the openings 24, through which the bolts 23 extend, is of circular cross-sectional shape outwardly of the guideways 30 and 3l, the bushings 26 being disposed in said outer opening portions. However, the portions of the openings 24 located inwardly of the guideways 3i) and 3l are not circular in cross-section, but, instead, are of non-circular shape corresponding to the non-circular shape of the nuts 32. Because of this arrangement it is obvious that the nuts 32 are prevented by the walls of the non-circular opening portions from rotating with the bolts 23 when said bolts are rotated to adjust said bolts inwardly to cause the inner ends of the bolts to move into tight clamping engagement with the shoes 6.

When the bolts 23 are being assembled in Aposition with respect to the annular member I, the bushings 26 and the nuts 32 are applied to the shanks of the bolts, and the assemblies made up of the bolts, the bushings, and the nuts, are passed inwardly of the openings 24, the bushings being forced into the circular, outer portions of said openings so that the circumferential surfaces of said bushings will frictionally grip the walls of said circular outer portions of the openings. The abutment elements 21 are then passed downward- 1y into positions where the slotted body portions of said abutment elements straddle the Shanks of the bolts, as has been previously explained herein, the nuts having been positioned on the bolts so that the slotted body portions of the abutment elements 21 may pass downwardly between the inner end faces of the bushings and the forward faces of the nuts. The abutment elements 21 are guided during their downward movement by the guideways 3 and their lower ends are finally seated in the guideways 3I, and the inner end faces of the bushings 25 contact with the outer faces of the abutment elements. The bolts 23 may then be rotated to cause the inner ends of the Shanks of the bolts to clampingly engage the shoes 6 and force said shoes toward the electrodes B, and thereby force the contact members I8 into tight contact with surface portions of said electrodes to provide good electrical contact between the contact members I S and the electrode B, such rotation of the bolts causing the nuts 32 to move into close contact with the abutment elements 21. When it is desired to remove the bolts 23, the abutment elements are pried upwardly and are removed from their assembled positions with respect to the annular member I, whereupon the assemblies made up of the bolts, the bushings 25, and the nuts 32, may be moved outwardly from the openings 24.

The annular member i is of hollow construction, as is shown to good advantage by dotted lines in Fig. 2, and by solid lines in Fig. 3,' that is to say, the annular member I has formed within same a plurality of passageways for cooling uid 1 which conform in shape to the general shape of the other of which is located above the the annular member, said passageways being designated by the reference characters 33a, 33h and 33o. It will be noted by referring to Fig. 2 that the passageways 33a, 33h, and 33o, are separated by solid, dividing walls, the passageways 33a and 33h being separated by a wall 34, the passageways 33b and the passageway 33o being sep-- arated by a wall 35, and the passageway 33e and the passageway 33a being separated by a wall 33. Additionally, the passageway 33o has extended across same a strengthening web 3l (see top of Fig. 2) but this web has an opening 31 formed therethrough which places the passageway por-- tions at opposite sides of the web in communication with each' other.

Arranged above the annular member I at the location of the dividing wall 3i; is a fitting 33, which is constructed as is shown in Fig. 5. In other words, the iitting 33 is provided with a pair of ducts 38a and 33h which are open, respectively, at the opposite ends of the fitting and are separated at their inner ends by a solid portion of the tting. Also, the fitting 38 is provided with a pair of vertically disposed ducts 32e and 38d which are open at the bottom of the fitting, the duct 38C communicating with the duct 33a, and the duct 33d communicating with the duct 33h. The ducts 38o and 38d are connected, respectively, into the passageways and 33C of the annular member I by short sections of pipe 39 and 4i?, said sections of pipe being screwed into the ducts 38e and 38d, and into openings formed through the top wall of the annular member l so as to place the duct 38a in communication with the passageway 330:, and to place the duct 33h in communication with thc passageway 33e. Additionally, the duct 38a of the iitting 38 has arranged in com-- munication therewith a pipe 4I for incoming cooling fluid, while the duct 38h has arranged in communication therewith a pipe 42 for outgoing cooling fluid.

Likewise, the annular member I has disposed immediately thereabove a pair of ttings 43, one of which is located above the dividing wall 34 and dividing wall 35. The ttings 43 are constructed as is shown in Fig. 4; that is to say each of said i-lttings has formed therein a duct 43a which is closed at one end by a solid portion of the fitting, and at its opposite end by a plug 44. Also, each of the fittings 43 has formed therein a pair lof vertically disposed ducts 43h and 43e which communicate with he duct 43a. The ducts 43h and 43o of the ttings have arranged in communication therewith short sections of pipe 45 and 46 which place the ducts 43a of the fittings 43 in communication with passageways of the annular member I, the sections of pipe 45 and 45 of the fitting 43, which is arranged above the dividing wall 34, respectively placing the duct 43a of said fitting in communication with the passageways 33a and 33h of the annular member I, while the sections of pipe 45 and 46 of the fitting 43, which is arranged above the dividing wall 35, respectively placing the duct 43a of the last-mentioned tting in communication with the passageways 33h and 33o of the annular member l.

From the foregoing it is obvious that incoming cooling fluid which is delivered to the fitting 38 by the pipe 4I will pass downwardly from said tting into the passageway 33a of the annular member I, and said cooling fluid will flow through said passageway to the opposite end thereof at which the dividing wall 34 is located. At the latter end of the passageway. 33a the cooling of fthe .annular imember .Whichis so fdischargedginto the passageway y3."119 fwill" yflow f through said `passageway 35 Lisilocated, l andrat thisl end of .the "cooling iuid will pass v upwardly through vthe iappropriate section v vof pipe 4located:abovegsaid dividing-wall 35, and will-pass @to .the opposite :sive overheating of prevented.

electrical energy This result follows from the fact that the bolts arremete 7 .iiiuid will :flow :upwardly through thenpipe l5l t0 i the '.ttlng. A3 f located :abovefsaid wall 3B and will zpass throughsaid -tting .and pass downwardly through ethe pipe. 46 :into lthe passageway 33h 33h to the .which the dividing wall said pasageway .opposite end thereof :at

to 'the fitting 43,

Idownwardly through the proper pipeA into 4the fpassagewayfc.,ofthe annular member I, said cooling fluid owing through saidpassageway 33o end thereof where it passes up- .Wardly into thegfltting 38-for discharge therefrom by wayof the pipe-'42. yThus continuous circulation. of coolingfluidthrough the passageways of v the.:annular.member is maintained atall v.times .during operation'of the furnacawhereby exces- :the annular lmember l is From the iforegoingit is plain that the improved connecting means of the present invenfgtionaproyidesyvery efcient meansl for connecting Athe electrodes ofan electrical furnace to the means which provide the conductive path for passing to said electrodes.

23 adjust-.thefshoes k6 toward the electrodes so as f to :force the electrical contact members I8 vinto tight contacting engagement with the faces -ofthergelectrodes so as tofprovide very good -elec- .'.trical Icontact between said members and-said electrodes. :the shoes .are formed; from steel, or. other Amatey.rialpossessing superior .strength and rigidity,

gno.distortion of the shoes pressure applied theretoelectrical contact Likewise, lbecause will result from the by the bolts 123, as

would be the case if said bolts acted. directly :against .--contact .members formed of relatively lsoft, :good electrical .;-tionally,.because .cooling fluid is passedthrough the shoes. 6 and .the annular -member l, these parts :are il heated during: operation with-'which the improved.connecting means is l.associ-ated.

vconducting material. Addi- -prevented from becoming `unduly of an electrical furnace Finally, .because the assemblies made up of the ..1bolts2'23, ,the-.'nutsBZ, and the bushings '2 E ymay be removedLfrom the annular member l as units by :mere-ly zwithdrawing las hasbeen.: explained,v it isv not necessary vto unlscrew thetboltsffrom to -remove i the. bolts. tutmostzimportance' because the.` heat ofithe lfur- -inac-e ifrequently `welds -..gether so bolts from;.the nuts, and .when thishappened, x .'.priorstothis invention,v it was` often .lacutsaway theboltsiandnuts ino-order to effect their removal.

the abutment members' 2l,

the nuts when it is `desired and nuts. ThisisV of ,the

the bolts and .nutswtothatitis impossible teun-screw the necessary .to

"nWe claim:

il; -i'lhecombination of. ranielectrode ofan. elec- :.tricalfurnace, an; electrical. contact member. ar-

ranged in. contact i with. said electrode, saidv elecyLtrical .contactumember beingfformed from materlaluwhichiis characterizedi by being, a. good` conf ductor :of: electricalenergy, an element arranged` iin: contact withr said-'electrical,contactmember .so gas-:tor cause .fat least. atportionrof said electrical Contact member; .tolbe interposed between pf said -jelectrodefandfsaid elemen ,iapassagewayformed salda-element and:I adapted zfonpassage of g cool-ins -iiuidl therethrushffmcaris :for .fmovine ing relation with respect .contact member to said element toward Isaidelectrode so las to, 1force said electrical contact member into close contactvto said electrode,-y and fluid-cooled electrical conducting ymeans gto whichgjsaid electrical vcontact .member is electrically connectedefor delivering lelectrical A energy yto said --electrical contact member yand-'said electrode.

vin contact with said.A electrical.contactl member-.so

a-,portionAv ofA saidfelectrical be interposed between said electrode `and-said element, apassageway formed within said element andadapted for ipassageof coolingl fluid. therethrough,means fom-moving as to cause atleast .saidelementtoward said-.electrode so .as to `force said electrical Contact member into close contacting relation `dwith rrespect :to said electrode, l.and electrical -conducting means to i which said :electrical Icon-tactirnember iselectrically connected for ldelivering electrical energy lto V.said electrical contact memberl and said electrode, -a-por-tion of said electrical conductingmeans--beingiadapted to be cooled by 'cooling `huid-passingto the passageway of saidelement.

3. The combination of -anelectrode of an electrcal furnace, an electricalcontact member arranged iny contact with said electrodeisaidelectrical contact Vmember'being formed/from material which is-characterizedby being a good Aconductor of -electrical-energy, an element arranged incontact with lsaid'electrical contact member so as to lcause atleast a portion of said electrical cont-act memberto beinterposedjbetween said velectrode and isaid element, a passageway `formed said electrical contact-member into closecontacting relation with respectto said electrode, and electrical conducting means to which said electrical contact memberl is electrically connected lforudelivering electrical energy to l,said electrical l contact member and said electrode, saidelectrcal Conducting means incmdinehdlw .fluidconducting means which A co rnmunicates,with said .passageway 0f .Said element. .andhelivers coolineuid thereto.

4. The combination of an elfftrcde ofianelectrical furnace, an` electrical p `contact member arranged` in contactwithsad =1cctro.de...seid` 180- tricalv contact member.k beingv formed, from material which, is characterized. bybeing .a .goodconductor, .of electrical energy, anI element.V arranged in contact` .with said electricalcontact. cmember vso as torcausezat `leasta portion of said electrical contact member to be, interposed between ,said

electrode and `said element, apassageway. formed within .saidelement.andfadapted for passager, of

cooling uidtherethroush; ,meansforf-movne ,Said .elementltoward'said electrode so asfto 4forcegsaid electrical contact member into ;icloserontactng 1 relation fwith respect l to tsaidfelectrode, and electrical' conductingy means to which said electrical contact membery is. electrically; connected for, vdec livering .electrical ienergyto said aelectricaicontact :melnber and said electrode, Said :wele'icaluGOnducting..-means includingainair :ci v.hollow ifiuidconducting means which communicate with said passageway of said element so as to cause cooling iiuid to pass into, through, and from said passageway.

5. The combination of an electrode of an electrical furnace, an electrical contact member arranged in contact with said electrode, said electrical contact member being formed from material which is characterized by being a good conductor of electrical energy, an element arranged in contact with said electrical contact member so as to cause at least a portion of said electrical contact member to be interposed between said electrode and said element, a substantially U- shaped passageway formed within said element and adapted for passage of cooling iuid therethrough, means for moving said element toward said electrode so as to force said electrical contact member into close contacting relation with respect to said electrode, and electrical conducting means to which said electrical contact member is electrically connected for delivering electrical energy to said electrical contact member and said electrode, said electrical conducting means including a pair of hollow fluid-conducting means which communicate with said passageway of said element so as to cause cooling fluid to pass into, through, and from said passageway.

6. The combination of an electrode of an electrical furnace, a pair of electrical contact members arranged in contact with said electrode, said pair of electrical contact members being formed from material which is characterized by being a good conductor of electrical energy, an element arranged in contact with said pair of contact members so as to cause portions at least of said pair of contact members to be interposed between said electrode and said element, supporting means for said element which is provided with an opening formed therein, means disposed in said opening of said supporting means for moving said element toward said electrode so as to force said pair of contact members into close contacting relation with respect to said electrode, a removable abutment member which engages said element moving means for retaining same in the opening of said supporting means, and electrical conducting means to which said pair of electrical contact members are electrically connected for delivering electrical energy to said pair of electrical contact members and said electrode.

'.7. The combination of an electrode of an electrical furnace, a pair of electrical contact members arranged in contact with said electrode, said pair of electrical contact members being formed from material which is characterized by being a good conductor of electrical energy, an element arranged in Contact with said pair of electrical contact members so as to cause portions at least of said pair of electrical contact members to be interposed between said electrode and said element, a passageway formed within said element and adapted for passage oi cooling fluid therethrough, means for moving said element toward said electrode so as to force said pair of electrical Contact members into close contacting relation with respect to said electrode, electrical conducting means for delivering electrical energy to said pair of electrical contact members and said electrode, said electrical conducting means including a pair of hollow fluid-conducting means which communicate with said passageway of said element so as to cause cooling i'luid to be passed through said passageway, and means for mechanically and electrically connecting said pair of electrical contact members to said pair of hollow duid-conducting means of the electrical conducting means.

8. The combination of an electrode of an electrical furnace, a pair of electrical contact members arranged in contact with said electrode, said pair of electrical contact members being formed from material which is characterized by being a good conductor of electrical energy, an element arranged in contact with said pair of electrical contact members so as to cause portions at least of said pair of electrical contact members to be interposed between said electrode and said element, a, passageway formed within said element and adapted for passage of cooling uid therethrough, means for moving said element toward said electrode so as to force said pair .of electrical contact members into close contacting relation with respect to said electrode, electrical conducting means for delivering electrical energy to said pair of electrical contact members and said electrode, said electrical conducting means including a pair of hollow fluid-conducting means which communicate with said passageway of said element so as to cause cooling uid to be passed through said passageway, and clamping means for mechanically and electrically connecting said pair of electrical contact members to said pair of hollow Huid-conducting means of the electrical conducting means.

9. The combination of an electrode of an electrical furnace, an electrical contact member arranged in contact with said electrode, said electrical contact member being formed from material which is characterized by being a good conductor of electrical energy, an element arranged in contact with said electrical contact member so as to cause at least a portion of said electrical Contact member to be interposed between said electrode and said element, supporting means for said element which is provided with an opening having a circular portion and a non-circular portion, means for moving said element with respect to said supporting means toward said electrode so as to force said electrical contact member into close contacting relation with respect to said electrode, said means for moving said element comprising a bolt which is disposed in the opening formed in said supporting means and engages said element, a bushing disposed in the circular portion of said opening of said supporting means for supporting said bolt for rotation, a nut mounted on said bolt in spaced relation with respect to said bushing and disposed in the noncircular portion of said opening of said supporting means, and a removal abutment member interposed between said bushing and said nut, and electrical conducting means for delivering electrical energy to said electrical contact member and said electrode.

10. The combination of an electrode of an electrical furnace, an electrical contact member arranged in contact with said electrode, said electrical contact member being formed from material which is characterized by being a good conductor of electrical energy, an element arranged in contact with said electrical contact member so as to cause at least a portion of said electrical contact member to be interposed between said electrode and said element, supporting means for said element which is provided with an opening having a circular portion and a, non-circular portion, means for moving said element with respect to said supporting means toward said election,

` l1 trode so as tov force said" electrical c'ontact'member into close-contacting `relationvvith respect to said electrode, said means for moving said element comprising a bolt which is disposed in the opening formed in said supportingmeans Aand engages said element, a llousl'iing disposed inthe circular portion `of Vsaid opening'of said supporting means for supporting said boltfor rotation, a nut mounted onf'said bolt 'in' spaced relation With respect to said bushing -and disposed in the non-circular portion y"of"saidvopening of said supporting means, :and a removal abutment member interposed betweensaid bushing and said nut and supported for guided' movement into and out of its effective position, and electrical `conducting means for delivering electrical energy' to said electrical contact member "and said electrode.

11. The combination ofan electrode of an electrical furnace, an electrical contact member arranged incontact with'said electrode,- said -electrical contact member being formed-'from material which is characterized by being a good conductor of electrical energy, anelement Varranged in contact With-said electrical contact member 'so as to cause atleast a portion-of said electricalcontact member to be,y interposed lbetween said electrode and saidelement, supporting-means for said element which' is provided with lan opening having a circularportionand a, non-circular -pormeans for moving-said element With/respect to said supporting means toWardsaid'electrode Vso as to force said electrical contact member into `close'contacting relation with respect -tosaid electrode, said means for moving said element comprising a boltwhich is disposed in the opening `formed in said sup-portingmeans and engages said element, a bushing disposedfn the circular portion of said opening of said'support-ng means for supporting 'said bolt for rotation, anut mountedon said bolt in spaced relationI Withrespect to-` said bushing and disposed in the non-circular portionof said openingof said 'supporting means, and .a removal abutmentmember interposed between said bushing and said nut and supported for-guidedY movement into 4and-out of itseiective position, said abutment member being 'provided with abi-furcatedportionwhich straddles said bolt, and electrical conducting means for delivering electrical energy vto said. electrical contact member and-'said electrode.

12. The combination 'of an electrode'of anelectrical furnace, an element arranged lfor movement toward andfromfsaid electrode,-s`upporting means for said element which Vis provided with an opening having a non-circular-iportion, means for movingv said-element with respect to said supporting means ytoward said '-electrodafsaid means for movingsaid element comprisinga' boltwhich opening of lsaid supporting is disposed inthe opening formed'in said supportning means and engagessaid element, a nut mountled "on said poltand disposed inthe non-circular portion of said opening of said supporting means,

and a 'removable abutment member which. en-

'gage's'said -nut for' retaining same 1n the non-circular portion of said'opening of said supporting 'meansg and'ele'ctrical conducting means for de- "an opening having a circular portion and a noncircular portion, means-for moving said element with resp'ectto saidv supporting means toward Isaid .electr-ode, said meansforf moving said element comprising a bolt which is disposed in the opening formed in said supporting means :and engages said element, a bushing disposed in the Acircularportion or said opening of said supporting Vmeans :for supporting said bolt for rotation, a nut ymount'edon said bolt in spaced relation with respect'to saidbushing and disposed in the noncircular portion'of said opening of said supportl-ing means', and a removable abutment member interposed between saidy bushing and said nut, and electrical conducting means for delivering electricallenergy tofsaid electrode.

A`14. The combination-of an electrode of an electricalfurnace-,f-an element arrangedv for movement towardand from said electrode, supporting means yfor said element which is provided'with an openingf'orme'd therein,` means disposed in said means for moving said element with respect tosaid supporti-ng means toward" said electrode, a removable abutment Imember *Whichf engages 'said elementimoving vmeans oriretainingrsame inthe-opening` of said supporting` means, and electrical conducting l`means 'for delivering velectrical ienergy to said r electrode.

ARTHUR J. FAUSEK. IRWING F. FAUSEK.

REFERENCES CITED Tliefollotving references' are of record in the UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,552,619 :Klugh Sept. 8, 1925 1,677,712 v Dion July 17, 1928 1,735,936 Semet al Nov. 19, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date .4,501 f The Netherlands Oct. 11, 19,19 

